The No. 4-ranked Emory volleyball team opened its participation in the NCAA Tournament on a resounding note Friday afternoon, posting an overwhelming victory in the first round of the Newport News, Virginia, Regional.  The Eagles upped their overall record to 32-5 following a 3-0 decision (25-7, 25-9, 25-8) over Salem College who closed out the year with a mark of 14-14.

Emory hit a season-high .506, blasting away for 47 kills with just five hitting miscues, while holding the Spirits to a -.027 mark.  The Eagles finished with a 36-29 edge in digs and posted a total of eight blocks while whitewashing the opposition in that category.

Emory sophomore Cami Silverman led a balanced offensive attack with 10 kills, her fourth straight and 13^th performance of double digits in that department this season, and finished a squad-best 10 digs while also contributing a pair of service aces and two blocks.  Senior Alex Duhl was the other player to come through with double-figure kills with 10 terminations en route to a .625 hitting mark (10-0—16).  Duhl also recorded four blocks.  Senior Breanah Bourque chalked up a .545 attack percentage (8-2—11) and tallied a pair of blocks.  Freshman setter Sydney Miles doled out 38 assists in the win.

The win over Salem sends Emory into the second round of the Regional on Saturday where it will meet No. 23-ranked Juniata (25-11) in a match slated to start at 2:30 pm.